Yah, newbie here. Looking at a 70 FJ40 with a chev motor (a 327 ugh) and 3sp with a Fairley OD unit. Bone stock everything else.

I am looking to build a casual desert ride, wild some mild rock time thrown in. This will not be a DD, but am looking for a tight, solid vehicle.

I have heard that the Fairley is not so reliable, with loads of gear noise . That and they don't make 'em and parts are damn near impossible to find. If I should yard that unit out, I'd like to know about it now and figure on a different tranny conversion.

Anyone one care to share their experiences with the OD unit?

Just a wild guess, but I doubt whether too many people on this board have used one, or even seen one - they are that rare. When I used to susbscribe to the Land Cruiser Mailing List (which has a very wide geographic and philosophical range) someone would ask about them every once in a while - some of the "old timers" had them. You might try doing a search of the archives of the LCML on offroad.com. Of course there are a few individuals, such as Henry C. (60seriesguy), and Rickd, around here who probably know a thing or two about them. Good Luck!

I have a Fairey OD on a stock 4spd/2F FJ55 I own. I haven't put too many miles on it (and no off-road miles), and I don't drive it at all now.

But when I did use it, it worked fine. It didn't seem too terribly noisy. I would think that a 70 FJ40 will make enough noise of its own to drown out the Fairey :)

One place you might want to try for parts and advice on it is Rover parts companies and bulletin boards. I'm not 100% sure, but I think that Rover people may have more experience with them since they are both products of Britain (I actually talked to a Rover parts company guy a ways back that indicated they once stocked Faireys).

Personally, I'd lose the whole 3spd/Fairey combo and locate a decent 4 or 5spd. I hate those 3spds!

Good Luck!

Originally posted by Cruiserhaven
Personally, I'd lose the whole 3spd/Fairey combo and locate a decent 4 or 5spd. I hate those 3spds!

Good Luck!

Yeah, but at least 3 speed trannies are free:p

Ah, this BB never ceases to amaze me - see what knowledge there is out there:cool:

This is the type of info I'm looking for, thanks. I didn't realize they are that rare. I wouldn't want to break an example of obsolete, vintage equipment. I am not into a resto, just a wheeler. Probably better off removing the OD and trading/selling it to a resto junkie.

Originally posted by J-Bone
Probably better off removing the OD and trading/selling it to a resto junkie.

Good Call!:cool: Maybe sell it on eBay? I have had good luck getting good prices for the rarer Cruiser stuff there.:idea: